Hydration packs have fallen in and out of fashion over the years, but for riders straying a bit further from the beaten track, they've always been a practical way to carry everything you need for a big day out in the hills.
The medium-sized packs we have on test, with a capacity of between 3.51 and 111, can fit a modest selection of tools, a mini pump. spares, a capable waterproof and maybe even a light insulated jacket for those unforeseen mechanicals in cold weather. Add to that the equivalent of three large water bottles or more and you can see how they cover a lot of trail eventualities, from hot day-long slogs to exposed winter rides.
To survive and thrive in these conditions, they foremost need to be tough, with hardy fabrics and quality buckles and closures. We've often seen packs binned purely because the zips get gritty and fail. They also have to be comfortable to wear once loaded, so need a stable but unobtrusive harness system to keep things under control should the riding get lumpy. Look for a ventilated back, to prevent sweat build-up on sticky summer rides. Finally, you want to be able to access the contents in a hurry without tipping the lot onto the trail, so organiser pockets should be considered essential.
During our testing, we packed all the packs with kit and then pulled it out on the trail to see how easy it would be to access the small stuff. We took them on long days, to see how comfortable they were in real-world conditions, and we hit the trails hard, to feel out any instability or poor design. If they didn't come with a reservoir, we subbed in a 21 HydraPak bladder to check their hydration capability.
この記事は Mountain Biking UK の April 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Mountain Biking UK の April 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
GRIME TIME - EXPERT WORKSHOP ADVICE
WHEELY ANNOYING
TRAILCREW HAFOD TRAILS
We discover the delights of Wales's newest bike park, located deep in beautiful Carmarthenshire
BIKETEST ULTIMATE HIRE BIKES
We test three park-cum-DH rigs - the kind of bikes available in holiday spots like Morzine and Whistler, as well as uplift venues closer to home
SCOTT GAMBLER 910 - £4,399 A bike park-ready budget beater worth taking a chance on
This latest iteration of Scott's long-standing Gambler launched in 2019.
THE MANY FACES OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
WE HIT THE ARIZONA DESERT AS PART OF A HUGE FEMALE-LED GROUP RIDE THAT PUTS THE FOCUS ON FUN AND FRIENDSHIP
PARIS HERE WE COME!
With the 2024 Olympics in France fast coming around, we take a quick dive into the history of mountain biking at the Games, plus explain what to expect, how to watch and who to keep an eye on this year
TRANSITION SPUR XO AXS - £7,999 Can the smallest of revisions keep Transition's downcountry demon at the top of the pile?
Transition's Spur has set the benchmark for downcountry bikes since its release in 2020.
MARIN ALPINE TRAIL E2 BOSCH - £6,385 Big-battery, high-powered e-MTB for gravity fans at a (relatively) affordable price
The Alpine Trail E Bosch is Marin's first e-MTB to use a four-bar linkage suspension design and a non-Shimano motor.
PINARELLO DOGMA XC - £12,000 Designed by and for Elite racers, with a ride feel to match
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS
MBUK SUPER BIKE - #128 MATT WALKER'S SARACEN MYST
The British national downhill champ has a new ride for the 2024 race season